Embracing an entrepreneurial spirit from an early age, Annie Sullivan was already working in real estate by the time she was in high school. Serving as an assistant to one of the top brokers in Illinois, Sullivan gained the hands-on experience and insight needed to launch her future. “It formed a foundation that is unmatched “she says. “It also helped me recognize that there was a gap in the industry, and I believed I knew exactly what it took to not only make it in real estate, but to succeed as a market leader, and I have done so for the past eight years.”

Sullivan’s team, Sweet Water Homes, serves the Chicagoland area to southern Wisconsin. She calls their style of real estate “carefully crafted,” which creates exceptional results for their clients. With much of their business coming from referrals, Sullivan leans into video marketing, which has made her stand out in her community.

“Taking homebuyers and sellers on a storytelling journey allows every home to be the center of attention,” she says. “Our marketing is refreshing. It gets people engaged, which is our No. 1 goal.”

From the prelisting appointment to the close of the sale, Sullivan is committed to setting realistic, timebound and tangible expectations for her clients. “This is crucial to a successful relationship,” she says. “Real estate changes year by year, so a client’s experience from previous years will likely not be the same as buying or selling in today’s market. Making sure buyers and sellers are educated and know what to expect is critical to accomplishing their goals.”

An animal advocate, Sullivan and team donates a portion of their commission to a variety of rescue organizations and shelters, as well as local community groups in need.